Rainham WMC and Cranes United take centre stage as Premier Division Cup reaches conclusion

Cup final season reaches it’s end this Sunday afternoon as the rearranged Premier Division Cup Final takes place at Dagenham & Redbridge FC between Rainham Working Mens Club and Fenton Cup runners-up, Cranes United. Kick-off is 3pm.

For Rainham in particular, this fixture represents a chance to take some great memories from what will probably not be remembered for their league form. Some indifferent league form has seen them finish twelth and relegated from the Premier Division but not before having made their mark on the Premier Division Cup competition! Their run to the final has taken in plenty of travelling with every tie played away from their Rainham base. They have also been some exciting matches, firstly despatching high-flying Newham Res 3-2 in the opening round before sending third placed Jolof Sports Club out in the quarter finals, 4-2. Surely however nothing beats their epic semi-final penalty shootout win against Eastside Rangers where, after a 2-2 draw in the match itself, it took a miss from the 32nd penalty by Eastside to see Rainham book their place in the final 16-15.

For Cranes United of course, this is their second cup final of the season having overcome a 2-0 half-time deficit in the Fenton Cup final last week against Chingford Athletic to level and take the game to extra time and penalties before being edged out in the shootout. Their run to this final has been filled with goals having knocked out each Chingford side in the division. They beat Chingford Athletic 5-2 in the first round before returning to E4 to beat Chingford Harriers 5-1 in the quarter finals. Then in their long awaited semi final, they hosted Chingford Town and ran out 4-2 winners to book their place in the final. In the league this season, Cranes are currently in fifth place having been assisted greatly this season by the goal scoring feats of striker Nelson Senkatuka who has bagged 42 goals this term and is on course for the golden boot award.

Looking at this season’s results between the two sides, they drew 1-1 in the early stages of the season before Cranes United won 3-0 in the reverse fixture back in April.

Congratulations also to our third team on Sunday afternoon, the match officials, who have worked hard on the field this season to earn themselves a place on this cup final. David Rivett is the man in the middle with the whistle while John Machnicki and Alan Spike accompany him with the flags. Our fourth official for the evening will be Endrit Malaveci who also celebrates this season being successful in promotion to a level 6 referee.

Good luck to everybody involved in Sunday’s final in what should be a wonderful occasion.

Tickets for the match will be available at the turnstiles on the day at a cost of £5 (adults) and £3 (concessions).